LONDON: The Essex Police have arrested a man in East London in connection with an arson attempt at Shahzad Akbar’s home on New Year’s Eve when he was away with his family.
The 34-year-old man was arrested early on Monday, 5th January in Essex during a raid, acting on intelligence, a police source shared with this reporter.
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), London are carrying out the investigation.
A CTP London spokesman told Geo News: “He was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and possession of a firearm and taken to a police station in London before being released on bail until pending further enquiries.
The arrest relates to an incident at an address in Cambridge on 31 December, 2025. At approximately 16:00hrs, two men are believed to have broken a window at the property, which was unoccupied at the time. One of the suspects attempted to throw a burning rag through the window, although it fell to the floor outside the property and did not cause any damage. Both suspects are described as men, dressed in black clothing and hooded tops.
“Due to the apparently highly targeted nature of this incident, it is being investigated by officers from CTP London. “Detectives are also investigating an incident that took place at the same address in Cambridge on 24 December, where a man in his 50s was assaulted outside the property. The investigation was passed on to CTP London due to what appears to be the highly targeted nature of the assault against the victim.
“At this stage, detectives retain an open mind as to any potential motivation behind either of the incidents. Officers are also keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are directly linked, although this remains an active line of inquiry being considered. There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public in connection with the incidents.”
Officers from CTP, London are jointly investigating attacks on Youtubers Adil Raja in Chesham, Buckinghamshire and Shahzad Akbar in Cambridge two weeks ago in what appears to be coordinated attacks on the duo.
